[SFS/Shifty] #3-09: Frozen Ambitions: Freeing the Herd (B) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

/dot in

You are all aboard a Veskarium transport ship, Kagzala’s Jewel, on the final leg of a tour through several remote worlds in Near Space. First Seeker Ehu Hadif has requested you join him for an emergency briefing in one of the starship’s meeting halls...

***

First Seeker Ehu Hadif springs to his feet excitedly and gestures for his guests to choose one of the comfortable seats available inside the cozy meeting room. “Thank you for responding so promptly. I know you’re all tired and looking forward to returning home, but starting now, our tour won’t be proceeding as scheduled. A few minutes ago, we received a transmission from a nearby planet that we believed to be uninhabited. I’ll play it for you.”

A flickering holovid of an aging dromada appears over Ehu’s datapad. The dromada’s fur is speckled with gray, and he speaks in a tired but firm voice: “I am Colrid of the Star Treader herd. We took refuge on Zrulik-3, but now many of our herd are—” Colrid’s image stutters as the message fades into garbled static. After a moment, the message resumes. “—attacks. If anyone can hear this, please help us.” Ehu paces anxiously as the message plays, his brow furrowed with concern.

"We must certainly help them First Seeker! What do we know about Zrulik-3?" speaks the small quorlu.

"Thidreks is right, tired or not we couldn't leave Colrid and his herd out there to fight for themselves!" Erastil, of course, seems ready to go at a moments notice.

"Oh, maybe we should make sure we all have some grenades this time." He adds grimacing a little at the memory of the nanoswarm.

"Fear not friend. I restocked at our last port." says Thidreks, swinging around to show off four new grenades.

"We must certainly help them First Seeker! What do we know about Zrulik-3?" speaks the small quorlu.

“Not much, to tell you the truth. It’s a remote world covered by thick forest. The Jewel’s crew say that landing might be tricky and scanning from orbit is nearly impossible. Pirates used the rock as a hideout in the past, but the High Despots put a stop to that after they began targeting vesk ships. I’m not surprised Colrid chose it as a hiding place.”

“The apex predator on Zrulik-3 is the zrulicat. A zrulicat can see in all directions at once and has a prehensile tentacle it uses to drag prey into its mouth. The beasts are solitary hunters that live deep in the forest, however, so you may not even encounter them.”

I says, lets help them! Their knowledge of the portal will be of great help if we want to understand them.

Says Ysh'yaal.

She adds with a wicked smile And now, I know a spell against creatures immune to weapon.

“Those poor people… saving them is the only option. This is a noble cause, and I will pray for Iomedae, so that She illuminates our path to a safe and expedite landing.” states Murgatroyd, an android sealed up inside a heavy armor, which has a roughly painted longsword surrounded by a sunburst on its back, the symbol of his goddess. He picks up a holy text book, which seems to be his only luggage, and starts to commune with the Spirit of Golarion.

Edward arrives panting at the briefing, his pants -- a size too big for him -- making a soft swishing sound as he jogs to the meeting room.

"*huff* Apologies... Sorry..."

The scientist straightens his lab coat and appraises the Starfinders present. "Thidreks, Erastil, Ysh." he begins with a slight bow. "Glad to see you again. Oh, and I see we have a new team member." He pushes his round glasses up on his nose. "And a priest of Iomedae, at that, how interesting! I am Edward, pleased to make your acquaintance."

Turning back to the First Seeker, Edward asks: "Star Treaders? I'm afraid I have never heard about them before. What do we know about this group? Any intel?"

Edward asks: "Star Treaders? I'm afraid I have never heard about them before. What do we know about this group? Any intel?"

“When last we spoke, Colrid confided in me that he dreamed of forming a herd for other exiled or lost dromadas. He must have succeeded.”

“Dromadas are often skittish and rarely leave their herds, but Colrid was brave and independent. He once told me that he left his own herd in anger and sometimes regretted it. He wanted to fight the poachers that hunted them, but the others refused to stand together. He served as a Starfinder for many years, but his missions were often complicated by those who wanted to murder him for his meat—a despicable practice that still goes on today. He decided to retire after one of those monsters captured him and put his entire team in danger. I tried to talk him into staying, but he’d hear none of it.”

"Hunted for their..." Erastil's eyes bulge. "But, they can speak, and think!" He knows those aren't the only reasons not to kill people but it's all he can muster.

"We should get to them quickly, and save them from whatever it is that's got them concerned, and if it's these poachers I'll make sure we put a stop to this." He clenches his fists and frowns.

With everyone ready to go, the small shuttle descends towards the planet.

The forest canopy is astonishingly dense. Colrid’s distress message broadcasts repeatedly but, true to Ehu’s warning, the signal is spotty, and the shuttle’s sensors have trouble penetrating the thick canopy.

Need someone on the comms station with a good Science or Engineering check

Also - one of you is the pilot - volunteer?

More than happy to Pilot.

Erastil is at the stick, waiting for someone to jump on comms.

Murgatroyd can't help with Computers or Engineering - he's more of a second tier gunner, pilot or magic officer...

Thidreks volunteers Ysh'yaal for the job ;)

Edward mans the sensors.

"Give me a moment, I should be able to clean up the signal."

Phys Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Ysh'yaal takes a look and casually says There, change this and that and... done!

I'm good in computer & engineering and could roll for Phys Science

Ysh'yall seems to be correct as she manages to triangulate Colrid’s location based on radio frequencies being broadcast under the canopy.

The nearest clearing large enough for the shuttle to land is 2 kilometers from the suspected dromada settlement, but it looks like it is going to be a tricky landing.

Piloting check please Erastil!

Piloting: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Haha, this might get a bit shakey, hope you all have something to hold on to." The young vanguard adjusts controls erratically trying to squeeze the shuttle into the correct location without banging it up too much.

Erastil manages to squeeze the shuttle through the canopy - it looked like a super tight fit, but the shuttle sets down without incident.

You look outside the shuttle as things calm down. It’s afternoon, but the light level beneath Zrulik-3’s canopy is rather dim. The thick underbrush throughout this part of the forest looks like difficult terrain to move through.

All: Perception check

Perception (darkvision): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

It change from the bare land of an asteroid! says Ysh'yaal looking around.

"She blesses us already." comments Murgatroyd, after the successful landing.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Forest? What forest?

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Forest? Right there. The thing with the trees.

Edward closely watches Ysh take control of the sensors.

"Hmm! I still have a lot to learn about those, I see!"

Disembarking the ship, the scientist looks around.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"I am not very used to navigating in the woods." he says, looking down at his trousers and lab coat, hardly appropriate for such an excursion. "Which way was the signal pointing to?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Going to be tough moving, wonder if we can find an easier way through." Erastil mumbles to himself as he scans their surroundings.

Ysh and Edward notice an abandoned shuttle partially concealed by vines off in the foliage. A quick investigation shows that the comm equipment on this ship is the source of Colrid’s message, though there’s no sign of him here now. A set of hooved tracks meanders around the clearing and appears to lead south to an overgrown trail.

TWO Survival checks if you wish to follow

Oh no, looks like I’m the tracker of the team

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Murgatroyd gets a good sense of the tracks at first, but seems to lose them halfway through… perhaps with some help he might get back on track.

"Help is coming, Colrid. Or justice, if we are too late."

Thidreks follows Murgatroyd's lead though the woods, keeping an eye out for any dangers.

Survival (aid): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Survival (aid): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Ysh tries to help Murgatroyd-01 navigating into the forest, but without instrument is rapidly lost!

Murg has started out well, but then finds the trail VERY difficult to follow...

Anyone else having a crack?

When Murgatroyd starts to have trouble, Thidreks tries to help.

Survival (aid): 1d20 ⇒ 19

Thidreks pick up the trail.

A massive old-growth forest stretches unbroken for miles beyond the clearing. Trees with vibrantly pigmented bark form a nearly impenetrable living wall. A chorus of hoots and screeches reverberates through the humid air, and thorny vines grasp and tear with every step. Suddenly, all the cacophony dies away, and an uncomfortable silence settles over the trees.

No one is surprised as two large cats emerge from the foliage.

One lashes at Thidreks with a long tentacle!
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
+Grab 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

One lashes at Murg with a long tentacle!
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Crit dam 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
+Grab 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

R1
Enemy (acted)
Ysh'yal
Erastil
Murgatroyd
Thidreks
Edward

Do they have reach 15 ft? Yellow seems to be a bit too far away

"Vicious beast!"

If it's at 10 ft., Murgatroyd will take a guarded step and punch the monster; If it's at 15 ft., Murgatroyd will draw a handaxe and throw it at the monster.

Hammer Fist/Handaxe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Bludgeoning damage (hammer fist): 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

OR

Slashing damage (handaxe): 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Thidreks jumps back away from the two beasts. 5' step
"Murgatroyd! Great shot!" Inspiring Boost +5 SP to Murgatroyd

Ysh'yaal calls for her magic to create a sword from all the junk she carries with her. casting junk sword

Then, she moves towards one of the beast.

What are those things? she asks while moving.

"We will know in a moment!"

Having a clear line of sight on the creature with the reddish fur, Edward uncovers the scanner located on his wrist and begins to scan the creature.

Custom microlab take 20 to identify, so that's a 31 with Life Science

I completely forgot my new Starknight ability, Armor Mastery: [...] gain a fortification ability when wearing heavy armor or powered armor. Your fortification gives you a 20% chance that a critical hit is treated as a normal attack, dealing normal damage and not applying any critical effect. You roll your fortification percentage chance before the critical hit’s damage is rolled. [...]

Fortification: 1d100 ⇒ 4

Booyah

What are those things? she asks while moving.

“The apex predator on Zrulik-3 is the zrulicat. A zrulicat can see in all directions at once and has a prehensile tentacle it uses to drag prey into its mouth. The beasts are solitary hunters that live deep in the forest, however, so you may not even encounter them.”

@Murgatroyd - 15' reach it is. Fortunately, you negated the crit :)

Murg throws an axe and gets it right on target!

Thidreks calls on the Murg to shake it off.

Ysh casts a spell.

Edward starts trying to recognise the creatures.
They are Zrulicats - They have no particular resistances or defences, but they can pounce and they also have Ferocity!

Erastil up (Ed also has a standard action to take)

R1
Enemy (acted)
Ysh'yal -acted
Erastil
Murgatroyd - acted
Thidreks - acted
Edward - (mostly)acted

Y 6

Oh, totally forgot about that!

"They are Zrulicats, as expected! Careful, they can pounce from afar, and they can continue to fight even when they are gravely wounded! Were I not in this peculiar situation I would find this particularly interesting to observe!"

The scientist then takes his rifle from his back and loads a syringe into the barrel.

"Sooner we get rid of these cats, sooner we find the herd." Erastil says moving toward the other cat, pooling his energy as he does and striking out at the beast when he reaches it.

Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 171d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Edward starts loading up as Erastil advances.

The creature lashes with its long tentacle as the Starfinder advances.
Reaction Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

***

The other cat lashes at Ysh!
Red
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Erastil is attacked by the other.
Yellow
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

R2
Enemy
Ysh'yal
Erastil
Murgatroyd
Thidreks
Edward

Y 11

Murgatroyd approaches the yellow zrulicat and punches away.

Hammer fist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"Ysh'yal don't worry! We're coming" Inspiring Boost +5 SP

Recovering a little thanks to THidreks' encouragement, Ysh'yaal tries to pay back in kind.

Junk Sword vs KAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 4 = 7
Damages, S&B (analog, reach, defending): 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Junk Sword vs KAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 4 = 17
Damages, S&B (analog, reach, defending): 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

if the creature is hit, Ysh'yaal gains +1AC against her target

Murg moves in - the monster reacts
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
...but it fails to connect!

Murgatroyd doesn't miss though!

Ysh swings and misses, but then catches the beast on the backswing.

Thidreks encourages the party!

R 12
Y 21

Edward takes aim and fires a dart at the creature with the red fur.

Needler Rifle vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage, P: 1d6 ⇒ 2

-2AC for 7 rounds if it hits

Edward gets the dart home!

Erastil up

R 14 (-2AC)
Y 21

Erastil grunts as the tentacles snap at him but he nods approvingly at Murgatroyd. "Good hit!" He pools the dark energy around himself and channels it all into a kick, hoping to do some damage.
Move action to use 2 EP
Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d3 + 3 + 2d4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (3, 1) = 9

Erastil lands a mighty - and fatal looking blow.

***

The red-tinged cat keeps on attacking Ysh
Red
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Erastil finds himself the target of one final act of reprisal
Yellow
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Erastil is struck, then the cat expires in a heap

R3
Enemy
Ysh'yal
Erastil
Murgatroyd
Thidreks
Edward

R 14 (-2AC)
Y Dead